Disorders of the anus are more common than you may think and are increasing in incidence around the world. They can cause extreme discomfort or may remain invisible and silent until they’ve progressed. You may have bleeding, discharge, pain, irritation, or a change in your bowel movement habits, and may also feel uncomfortable talking about your symptoms. Rest assured — you are not alone.
At NewYork-Presbyterian, our gastrointestinal specialists and colorectal surgeons understand how anal disorders can impair your quality of life. Through our comprehensive programs, we are dedicated to treating a wide range of anorectal disorders, including hemorrhoids, anal fissures. Our goal is to provide the care you need to feel better again.
What Are Anorectal Diseases?
What We TreatAnorectal diseases, also known as anorectal disorders, affect the parts of your body that involve the anus and rectum. Anal disorders impact the anus, the opening through which stool passes. Rectal disorders affect the rectum, which holds the stool before it passes through the anus.
Some anorectal disorders include hemorrhoids, anorectal abscesses, and fecal incontinence. Symptoms may include bleeding, pain, itching, swelling, or drainage.
Comprehensive Care for All Anorectal Diseases
Customized CareThere are various anorectal diseases, from minor conditions to more serious disorders.
- Hemorrhoids are normal blood vessels located in the anorectal region. They develop internally (inside the anal canal) or externally (around the anus). When they become swollen, they can result in bothersome symptoms, including pain, bleeding, protrusion, or itching.
- Anal tears and fissures are cracks in the superficial lining of the anus. Symptoms can include knife-like pain and bleeding, especially with bowel movements.
- Anorectal abscesses can occur if an anal gland becomes blocked and infected. An abscess is a collection of trapped pus. Some symptoms include pain, swelling, redness, warmth, fevers, chills, or generalized fatigue.
- Anal fistulas are tracts that connect a wound in the anal canal to an opening in the skin around the anal area. Anal fistulas are suspected when there is incomplete healing after abscess drainage or recurrent anal abscesses.
- Rectal prolapse occurs when the rectum protrudes out of the anus. Symptoms include fecal incontinence, constipation, or bleeding.
- Fecal incontinence is a condition in which you cannot control bowel movements, which can lead to stool leakage.
- Anal cancer develops from a growth of mutated of cells in and/or around the anus. Anal cancer may be asymptomatic or can involve symptoms of anal pain, bleeding, itching, or lumps near the anus.
Customized Medical Care from a Team of Experts
We take a team approach to your care. Whatever type of anorectal disorder you have, we provide the specialists you need. Our team includes gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, dietitians, nurses, and others with experience to treat people with anorectal conditions. Your care team takes the time to understand your anal disorder and how it affects your life, then creates the best care plan to meet your needs.
How We Diagnose Anorectal Disorders
How We DiagnoseWe conduct a comprehensive evaluation and offer you all of the diagnostic testing you may need. We begin with a one-on-one discussion between you and your doctor about your personal and family medical history, your symptoms, and how your anal disorder affects your life. We then offer diagnostic tests such as physical examination, anoscopy to view the anal canal, and colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy if needed to examine your colon and rectum.
Sometimes we use imaging studies such as CT scan, MRI, fluoroscopy, or endorectal ultrasound to view parts of your lower digestive tract that we may not be able to see through other exams. With the results of this assessment, we can make an accurate diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Advancing Anorectal Care
Advancing CareAt NewYork-Presbyterian, our physicians and researchers are involved in clinical trials to develop new treatments for anorectal disorders. The anorectal disease specialists at NewYork-Presbyterian use treatments based on the latest medical advances to ensure you are receiving the most technologically advanced care for your condition.
Get Care from Our Expert Anorectal Disease Care Team
At NewYork-Presbyterian, we treat the whole person. You’ll have access to the full resources at our top-ranked academic medical centers, including specialists from all areas who collaborate with our anorectal disease care experts to provide comprehensive care.